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The year in music, it’s a list y’all

One of the things I got into a habit of doing almost once a week (I skipped a couple, oopsie daisy) on this blog somewhere along my third post is posting my top 5 songs of the week. Whether they were new, something I just discovered, or some old nostalgic faves, it proved to be more an exercise for me to reawaken my musical soul, as opposed to supplying you with new songs to add to your playlist every week.

I kept up my promise to myself by posting in this blog weekly. It was the first step in starting the next phase of my life, which is broadening my writing and moving into working in the scripted field of television. Writing in this blog might seem so simple, but to those who blog as well, we all know what a bitch it can be to figure out what we want to write about, or more importantly, what people would even be interested in reading. Your blog isn’t a diary, it does need some sort of message. At first I relied on posting my songs to keep up the habit, but slowly I realized what I wanted to convey through my blog, which was to simply tell life experiences I go/went through to help all those other people in their twenties to remember that sometimes it’s okay to laugh at yourself, it’s okay to cry, and to have a glass of champagne before breakfast.

So here’s my tribute to this year in the best way I know, the top songs that belonged with it. The songs that constantly rotated through my iPod, the ones that no matter how much I had heard I would never skip, the ones blasted loudly at parties, the ones listened to in the wee hours of the morning when I think I’m the only one awake, the ones that kept me accompanied on my walk home in the rain, the ones that I loved and will always remind me of 2011.

One of my favorite bands came roaring back this year with a new album that continued their musical superiority (I might be biased). I saw them twice this year, and both times were magical. The opening drum line marrying into the guitar riff makes my whole body pulsate every single time.

It had been awhile since I had discovered a new band that took over my iPod for 2 months. Sleigh Bells did that. I could not get enough of them. No matter how loud I put it up, it wasn’t enough. I think this might be their secret, no matter how much you listen it’s not enough, it needs to be louder, so you just hit repeat and try again. Sleigh Bells tease you endlessly, somewhere in the noise is a beat that hits against your heart, and the only way you can think of getting rid of it is by freaking the fuck out (which we appropriately did at Sasquatch Music Festival). Carry on Sleigh Bells, I’ve always liked foreplay.

In late winter into spring, I got back to one of my first loves, good old rock n’ roll. This absolute perfection of a song had me craving for summer nights, but we made do with dance parties in my living room. The first seconds of this song make me think of whiskey, sunsets, friends and looking forward to road trips. I always feel like anything can happen when this starts, and for 5 minutes and 21 seconds, anything does. Complete freedom.

Many panned this new album, and panned this video, but I ate it up. There is something urgent in the song that makes me want to be in my mid-twenties forever. Reckless and irresponsible, where the only thing I have to severely worry about is my rent check, getting enough sleep once in a while and showing up for work. Endless summer nights in a song.

This is not my favorite song of the new CWK album by far, but it resonated with me the most. When Nathan yells out with every last strength he has emotionally “I need you to come in close tell me it’s all right, flying upside down, the steering wheel is stuck but I’m turning us around, we will see that sky above and let go of all that I know” hits me so damn hard I can feel every last tension and ounce that hurts out of my fucking body.

Franz and I witnessed the revolution of this band live and we were stunned. They are like the voice of the generation after us, especially when the singer sings in a bland voice “I’m so bored” in his Ray Bans and 90’s Fresh Prince of Bel Air vintage clothing. It was amazing how much they ate it up (it was an all ages show). That being said, you can’t deny the catchy surfer vibe of this tune to carry you through summer.

I’m not one for folky girl singers but this one got into my soul. Something about the dreamy slide guitar and echoing drums partnered with the saddest vocals of all time delivering a message of hope after a broken heart is beautifully endearing. “I love the sound of you walking away, and I can see clearer, and I’m getting closer to finding out just who I am without you in the way, so hold me, but only for a little bit” is the most truthful lyric I’ve heard this year.

One of my faves coming back strong this year. The open road and your best friend beside you are the perfect accessories for this tune. Or when you’re feeling nostalgic. Then again, Jimmy Eat World will always be there if you’re feeling nostalgic.

Somewhere along the year this song came back in rotation in my iPod. I can’t get over the violins and that gorgeous guitar from The Edge. I find myself playing this at least once a week. My imagination runs wild.

Pop music boils in my blood when it’s good shit, and this is good shit. Any time this comes on, Franz and I can’t resist pretending we’re in some overheated club in Spain spinning the night away. Get it JLO.

Just a personal memoir of tipsy Franz and Julia turning a shitty night into something hilarious by giving into this song and dancing up a storm in an empty club. Now it’s a staple in the apartment if we’re going out. Or being stuck in traffic in Portland…. Either way you feel invincible when fist pumping to this.

Devilish and brutal. Two voices, same story, different outcome. Somebody always loses in the game of love. “He broke my heart cause I really loved him”, she feverishly sings. Such conviction. “I knew right then I would be taking her heart”, of course you did.

This month started with me enjoying the view of my breath forming clouds on my way out of work and enjoying the sparkling lights of downtown in the distance. This song came on and reminded me how much I love Vancouver, everyone in it, and that my life can be a lot fucking worse, even after everything that happened this year.